Every spring, I start a routine of hiking as much as possible. I love the experience of watching spring unfold each day. Each year, I seem to catch something new and get absorbed into its emergence. This year, Northern Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum giganteum) has been absolutely memorizing on my hikes. Watching it evolve from what looked like an evil creature emerging from the bowels of Mordor in Middle Earth to a delicate graceful plant has been a gift each morning.

Blue Cohosh starting to emerge

Blue Cohosh is a reproductive herb, as it is a strong uterine stimulant and tonic. If taken during the last 2-4 weeks of pregnancy, it is known to help ease and quicken labor. It can also be used during birth to ease labor pains as well as jump-start a stalled labor. It nourishes and revitalizes the uterine tissue in a variety of situations, including after pregnancy, miscarriage, or abortion. Blue Cohosh is a very powerful herb and can be stressful on the kidneys and liver. It may narrow the arteries in the heart as well, so it should be used prudently and it is not for long-term use.  I have never personally worked with Blue Cohosh although I wish I had thought about it during my 36 hours of labor. It just didn’t occur to me at the time. Perhaps, I had my mind on others things at the time.

young leaves

close up of its dark maroon flower

A nice patch of Blue Cohosh

All information is shared for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition.